Our job as military communicators is to help ensure our military has the resources, support, and authority to conduct our mission – to protect America.
Just a few things:
There’s some useful commentary on #MilTwitter. Joe Byerly and his cronies lead an effort to advance leadership study and reflection. The latest trends have a few general officers participating, mainly looking for problems to solve- is this what generals do in our Army? Other than that, I suppose occasionally an interested person asks for advice and gets some.
But what about all the negative, even damaging things? I started to list a bunch of these things that happen on Twitter amongst the military community but I don’t need to, do I? Something negative or damaging happens on a very regular basis.
PAOs, why are you a part of this? At work, your job is to represent our country, the military, and your organization but on Twitter is it cool to publicly disparage the president? Maybe it’s ok to throw a jab at another service? How about just publicly humiliating some lowly Lieutenant who thinks haircuts help us win wars?
PAOs, when your commander is facing the next unexpected, politicized crisis (and he/she will), will they think your previous outspoken tweets are helpful? Will you appreciate other PAOs piling on?
I haven’t been on #policetwitter or #amazontwitter – do members of those organizations also publicly crap all over their organizations and its members?
Those that know me, know: I like engagement. I love candid conversations. I like attribution. I love accountability. On paper, the #MilTwitter scene seems like my style…but the lack of purpose ruins it. Lack of purpose or self-serving purpose?
Our military communicates in crisis like few other organizations in the world. Is #MilTwitter the example we should give the American people of our ability to communicate internally?
Our military treats its people with respect. Is MilTwitter the example we should give Mom and Dad on how we treat their sons and daughters?
Our military is afforded vast amounts of resources to accomplish our mission. Is MilTwitter the example we want to give Congress and the American people of our stewardship?
Our military operates professionally all over the world and our political leaders depend on our discretion to represent our country. Is MilTwitter the example we want to exhibit our professionalism and discretion?
We are the most powerful military in the world. Is MilTwitter the example we want to give our enemies of our impenetrability and solidarity?
Does it really make sense for PAOs to publicly attack or make fun of official military social media accounts? Why not just pick up the phone or email the PAO in charge? What are you trying to gain by pointing out flaws publicly?
Maybe we can just stick to our organization and do the best job we can to help our military (and our country) recover from whatever the current crisis is.
Maybe we can choose not to share the snarky comment or joke.
Are you commenting with a purpose? Who’s purpose?
Is your purpose self-serving or selfless? Be honest… ok, let’s be better.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jairus Bailey
